RCE Ag Agent Pat Rector Receives 4-H Educator of the Year Award

Annette Devitt (left), president of the New Jersey Association of 4-H Agents, presents the 4-H Educator of the Year Award to Pat Rector.

Pat Rector, environmental and resource management agent in Morris and Somerset counties, was recently recognized by the New Jersey Association of 4-H Agents with the 4-H Educator of the Year Award for her significant contributions to the 4-H program.

This award, which is presented annually, recognizes an individual or a group for outstanding professional educational support of the 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

Since Rector joined Rutgers Cooperative Extension in 2009, she has used her vast subject matter expertise to work with 4-H faculty, staff and volunteers to develop multifaceted programs on water conservation, watershed management, rain barrels, climate change and water insects.

Rector’s interest in interdisciplinary work, specifically combining water resource management and youth development, has led to the creation of a variety of 4-H special interest programs. These include a variety of workshops led by teens and that reach youth and adult audiences.